Overview
Long before it was a popular shopping centre and restaurant hot spot, The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront was the harbor of Cape Town, welcoming famous ships and their even more famous captains to the South African shores during great times of discovery.
Although still an international harbour, its home to a different kind of discovery. An epicenter in the Cape Town CBD for shopping, dining and adventures, the V and A Waterfront is one of the most popular tourist destinations on all South African holidays.
From the Millionaires Lane featuring boutiques the likes of Louis Vuitton, Chopard, Calvin Klein, Burberry and Boss to name just a few to the well-loved South African fashion houses. Shopping even extends outdoors with the well-loved Watershed Market where local designers are celebrated.
If its food you’re after, the Waterfront is teeming with world-class cuisine to suit every cultural appetite. From Seafood and Tapas to burgers and beyond.
The V and A is also a flourish with activities for the whole family. From spas, to the Two Oceans Aquarium, Scratch Patch and Mini Golf. Its harbour also serves as a Launchpad for a number of sea-faring adventures such as trips to Seal Island and Robben Island and private day charters – two very popular places to visit in South Africa.
The amphitheater is also host to a number of events and performances throughout the year. Towering over this outdoor stage is the Wheel of Excellence – a big Ferris wheel from which you can view the whole of the CBD and beyond to Robben Island.
Location
The V and A Waterfront is found along the Atlantic Seaboard of Cape Town.
Getting there
There are three ways to get to the waterfront. The first is along the Atlantic Seaboard, the second is from the Cape Town CBD and the third is from Mandela Boulevard Highway.
Best time to visit
Summertime is the best time to take advantage of all the activities, tours and outdoor markets that the V and A Waterfont has to offer. While it’s the perfect place for a bit of retail therapy, movie watching and delicious meals during the colder months.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
How to make the most of every moment?
Local knowledge makes a huge difference! When I asked Ash at Best of South Africa to give me some guidance on how to make the most of our trip to Cape Town and Franschhoek wine valley, I felt sure she would be able to send me in the right direction. It never occurred to me that she would organise our …